Popular cynicism
The official assertions often want us to think of the political traditions and concepts of democracy and citizenship in Jammu and Kashmir same as shared among other states in the Indian mainland. But as the events of Kashmir’s history would indicate – especially the difficulty with which common masses are attempting to reclaim their right […]
Wasting precious land
The J&K High Court has made it clear more than once that violation of its orders vis-à-vis putting an end to the constructions in arable agrarian land won’t be tolerated, and that on case of any violations the Divisional Commissioner would be held personally responsible. But despite such directions, conversion of agricultural land into concrete […]
Talk they will have to …
For the past couple of years almost on every single day we have seen India and Pakistan accuse each-other of ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak international border as well as the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. While India accuses Pakistan of resorting to firing and mortar shelling in order to “facilitate infiltration […]
Unplanned constructions!
Of the many developments that have become a fad thing here is the mushroom growth of residential colonies, shopping malls and other such business centres. As has always been the case with most of things, this sector too is growing in the most unplanned manner. And this is indeed where the biggest worry lies. The […]
Transport mess
The transporters here are seemingly in no mood to run their services after it gets dark here, which leaves the ordinary people high and dry in the absence of buses and cabs to take them to places. However, completely unmindful of the problems faced by the people on transport front, the concerned government agencies are […]
Conflict-sensitive policy
Subjectivities that define and determine ‘good’ and ‘bad’ differently for different people are very much there defining almost everything prefixed or suffixed by these adjectives. No wonder everything labeled as good or bad automatically becomes the focus of debate and controversy. There are some broader elements and factors that can be weighed against certain general […]
Unreliable highway
The recurring closure of Jammu-Srinagar national highway, particularly during the winter months is a sad old commentary on the affairs of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. While day-in and day-out tall claims are made suggesting that the state was not far behind other states, a slight drizzle and a mild snowfall throws everything out […]
Lack of unanimity
The lack of unity and unanimity of thought and action among the Kashmiri leadership has been there all along. This has always been taken as a given by everybody, including even New Delhi. This is perhaps why even ‘symbolic’ political unanimity originating in the Valley would come as such a shocker to the Centre that […]
Rhetorical politics
Any serious commentary on the politics of Kashmir tends to be disdainful of the political elite; and more than their ‘person’, of their politicizing the mundane for selfish ends. And there are reasons for it. At a place where even the bare essentials of life are packaged and passed on as favours to the common […]
Learn to question status quo
“The tyrant and his subjects are in somewhat symmetrical positions. They can deny him most of what he wants – they can, that is, if they have the disciplined organization to refuse collaboration. And he can deny them just about everything they want – he can deny it by using force at his command. They […]
